For Cod’s Sake

Everyone loves the cod. So why is thousands of tonnes discarded every day?

For Cod's Sake (52 min)

This film depicts a young researcher trying to find the truth about the most important and debated resource of the Baltic Sea – the cod. The documentary gives shocking proof. Thousands of tonnes of cod are discarded by trawlers every day. The films upsetting images led to a subsequent ban on the discarding of cod in the Baltic Sea.

Fishermen, scientists and politicians have – all in good faith – done their best to wipe out the Baltic Sea cod.

Fortunately, recent environmental conditions have – by chance – led to more cod in the Baltic. And the European Union proclaims it wants to save the species. But ironically, EU regulations force fishermen to discard thousands of dead cod – every day. And scientists advising the EU disagree heavily on the extent of the recovery.

So is the cod really back – or is a wipe-out still imminent?

Over two dramatic and decisive years we get up and close with fishermen, scientists, politicians and the cod itself. Without the cod, the sea will be out of balance, the water filthy and fishermen will survive only as tourist attractions.